Including Your 11-Month-Old In Family Meals: How to Safely Share What You Eat
At 11 months, your baby can share more of the family meal than you might think.
With a few adjustments: mainly texture and salt, most foods can be adapted.
They can enjoy:
โข Soft pasta with sauce
โข Shredded meats
โข Steamed or roasted vegetables
โข Rice dishes
โข Omelette strips
โข Soft casseroles
Before adding extra salt or strong seasoning, you can portion theirs out. Cut pieces appropriately and ensure everything is soft enough to squash between your fingers.
Eating together builds more than nutrition,ย it builds modelling, routine, and connection. Theyโre watching how you eat, not just what you serve so be mindful of how the dinner runs in general. Is there stress or distraction which could be removed? Is there a chair which makes them feel part of the family? Is there a gentle song which could be playing in the background to signal meantime?
Family meals donโt need to be separate- just with an extra chair at the table (and a few tweaks). ๐